Long Term Test: John Deere Gator - By Off-Road.com

John Deere Gator Utility Vehicle

Besides being a valuable working machine, it can handle some fun time - for
two!

Low-pressure, high-flotation tires
combined with differential lock ensure these models go where you
need to. Powerful, 10- and 18-hp units boast a payload capacity of
up to 900 or 1,400 pounds (maximum capacity of the 6x4-diesel
model)

Electric, gas and diesel models of
the Gator Utility Vehicle offer low ground pressure, operator
comfort and a vehicle that can go anywhere and do almost
anything.

Long Term Test: 6x4 Diesel Gator

I have had the joy of working
with a 6x4 Diesel Gator for the past four years, putting it though
daily working conditions, hauling loads of sand all day long.
During off time we "survey" the undeveloped areas of the facility
and run the trails we made with it. The one thing stands out about
this unit is that it has never had a failure - it has taken all the
abuse that we can throw at it without a hiccup. Why? I guess it was
well built, because we have put it though hell!

We got it new four years ago, and had the power
lift bed added so we could dump sand out of it (we move a lot of
sand around). The only thing I can say I don't like is the 18MPH
limit. I have tried to do the usual fixes to pump up the 18 hp,
overhead valve, 3-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-cycle diesel engine,
but no dice, I guess I am stuck there. The PVT-style belt drive has
proven reliable, with the downfall that it does tend to freewheel
and send you sliding into a tree on a steep downhill off-camber
hill, but that's part of the fun right? The body plastic did ok,
but we took out the headlight and bent the front frame, just a
little. We chained it to a tree and bent it back, put in a new
headlight and we were ready to rock! (Don't tell my boss.)

I am a die hard ATV nut, so don't get me wrong,
but there is just something fun about you and your buddy beating
around in the woods in a diesel utility 6x4. It scoots across sand
great (at a whopping 18 mph), hill-climbs great with its low center
of gravity, and mudbogs okay - though it is heavy and when its
stuck, it's stuck good. But nothing a 4x4 ATV can't pull out
though. It even jumps ok, though it has nothing for suspension in
the rear. Ouch.